Royal Berks ‘extremely disappointed’ following health secretary’s hospitals announcement

THE ROYAL Berkshire Hospital has said that it is “extremely disappointed” following news of the latest delays to updates to the site.

The planned rebuild of the Royal Berkshire Hospital may be delayed until the late 2030s after it was placed in the final wave of a three-wave plan.

According to health secretary Wes Streeting, these plans will see construction begin between 2035 and 2039.

In a statement in the House of Commons on Monday, January 20, the health secretary confirmed in the much touted announcement that the previous government’s new hospital programme was unachievable, and was unfunded.

Responding to the news, a spokesperson from the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are extremely disappointed with the announcement that our programme, not for the first time, has been delayed.

“While we are pleased that the government has recognised the case for a whole new hospital, today’s announcement sees us delayed by at least another 6 years and there will be little prospect of a new hospital before 2040.

“Our staff, patients and the citizens of Berkshire West and South Oxfordshire deserve better.

“The condition of our current hospital presents challenges for staff and patients which we manage every day, to deliver safe, high quality healthcare services to our local communities despite these challenges.

“We will be seeking urgent meetings with NHS England and the New Hospital Programme team to explore the implications of the announcement.”…Read more by Jake Clothier